Many times, a homebuyer is inspired to take a more serious look at a home on the market when driving by it.This is why it’s important that your home exudes ‘charm’ from the outside.

Keep in mind that these days, a ‘drive-by’ may be online. When choosing photos of your home for listing services (such as MLS), don’t skimp on the outside shots.Potential homebuyers’ first impressions are a reality of the home sale market, so it’s best to prepare yourself with some great ideas to improve your home’s appearance.

Here are some of the best ways to help make your home stand out to drive-by homebuyers:

Bright colors. Painting your entry door, trim, shutters, etc., makes a great first impression of your home’s exterior. Consider adding colorful plants and/or flowers in strategic places, such as the corners of the garage and end of the driveway, that further accent your home. You may also want to add a seasonal flag or banner on your porch to further capture a potential homebuyer’s eye.

The little things. Have you ever not been able to find a number on a house? It’s frustrating. If you haven’t already, you should consider installing a new house number in a visible place such as next to the door or on the curb. Updating the exterior lighting fixtures can make a big difference for nighttime visibility and safety. And finally, don’t forget to take a serious look at the mailbox since a well-maintained mailbox can also make a good impression.

Repairs/Maintenance. Make sure every part of your house that’s visible from the street looks neat and orderly, This includes gutters (no leaves hanging over, no sagging) and the roof. Shingles showing obvious wear or with lichens/moss growing on them indicate a lack of proper maintenance. New sealant on the driveway is an economical way to improve the overall look of your home and make a good impression.

Cute and cozy sells. An inviting front porch will grab attention. Keep it clean and free of clutter including bikes, skateboards, and toys. Add a table and chairs to make visitors feel welcome. Flowers and plants also add to the charm. Touches such as these will help your potential homebuyers imagine themselves happily sitting out front while the kids play in the yard or just watching the world go by.

The yard. Take time to neatly trim up any bushes, mow the lawn, edge around the sidewalk/driveway, and add mulch to gardens and beds. Reseed any bare spots in the lawn and rake and remove leaves and twigs to give the lawn a fresh look. Consider adding updated outdoor lighting around landscaped areas, near the entrance, and along the walkway.

Keep it open. Open shades, curtains and blinds and, if the weather allows, the windows. Be sure to wash the outside of the windows to add extra sparkle and shine to your house from the street.

We place a lot of weight on first impressions for good reason. We make judgments based on what we see and feel within a few seconds -- whether we realize it or not. Keep the tips above in mind when preparing your home for sale and you’ll easily catch the drive-by homebuyer’s eye and make a great first impression.

Testimonials Page

I was very pleased with Jessica in every way. After our first meeting she started right away with selling my mom's house. I didn't have to worry about one thing. Jessica is an excellent agent. She is very personable but professional. I live out-of-state but she kept me well informed. She has a great personality. Jessica showed that she has morals and values which are valuable traits to me. I would definitely recommend her to anyone. The sale was very quick. You are very fortunate to have Jessica working for you. The process from beginning to end went very smoothly. Thanks to Jessica.Vicky Click,Southport, NC April 27, 2018

When you have a very patient friend who is also your real estate agent, you are doubly blessed! This entire process of prepping to sell and selling Mom's house was made much easier thanks to your guidance and patience - again, the "p" word. From letting me know what to expect, to determining what "fair" means, and all the other minute in between. I relied on your experience and advice. You did not once let me down.
Thanks for not only being the trusted consummate professional, but for being a great family friend. Best always, Marianna Marianna Voiselle, February 6, 2018

Thanks for all your help in making our "dream home" a reality. We really appreciated that you went the extra mile to get us the best price for our home. You are truly a professional.

In all our dealings with Realtors over the past ten years, we have never met anyone as helpful and energetic as you have been. Without hesitation, we would highly recommend your service to anyone who is looking for an experienced Realtor who cares about getting things done and doing them right! Thanks for taking such good care of us, we couldn't have done it without you!